birD wrote:thanks for the input! For the record this school I'm considering is a T3. I think it makes more sense for me to go to this T3 for free rather than a top 30 school for sticker because I already have a job lined up back home. Do you think this is a smart move...?

If you already have a legal job lined up then attending a T3 with scholly is actually kind of a no-brainer. However, that's only true if it's nearly 100% certain you'll get the job if you get the degree.

If you already have a legal job lined up then attending a T3 with scholly is actually kind of a no-brainer.

it's good to hear someone say that. Going to a T3 just kind of hurts my pride but it's worth it to graduate debt free.

I don't think you understood Vanwinkle's point. He claims going to a T3 with a full scholarship is worth it only if you already have a job lined up. The vast majority of law students do not have a job lined up before law school.

Personally, I would advise you against going to a T3 school without a scholarship. With a full scholarship though, a T3 can make sense for some people. With that said, I would never pick a T3 with a full scholarship over a T30 at sticker. However, each person must weigh the costs/benefits and make a decision for him or herself.

I would never pick a T3 with a full scholarship over a T30 at sticker.

Even if you already have a family job lined up? Why? Just curious to hear your perspective...

Just do what you do man/woman. I wouldn't go to a t30 at sticker unless that meant a total debt of less than six figures. 160k at a t30 is idiotic. You don't need our validation here. You've got a pretty good option with the ability to go to school in what is presumably an area you are form/enjoy, and some prospect of a job after graduation. You're mind probably isn't changing, and it definitely shouldn't change on advice that includes "go to a t30 at sticker."

So just to be clear (as I am terrible with math and curves and such...), a 3.0 on a 3.3 scale is easier to maintain than a 3.0 on say, a 2.8 scale? Glad I found this thread... I had no idea about all of this.

conroyc wrote:So just to be clear (as I am terrible with math and curves and such...), a 3.0 on a 3.3 scale is easier to maintain than a 3.0 on say, a 2.8 scale? Glad I found this thread... I had no idea about all of this.

Yes. a 3.0 on a 3.3 scale basically means "be in the top 75%." A 3.0 on a 2.8 scale basically means "be in the top 1/3."

I would never pick a T3 with a full scholarship over a T30 at sticker.

Even if you already have a family job lined up? Why? Just curious to hear your perspective...

Just do what you do man/woman. I wouldn't go to a t30 at sticker unless that meant a total debt of less than six figures. 160k at a t30 is idiotic. You don't need our validation here. You've got a pretty good option with the ability to go to school in what is presumably an area you are form/enjoy, and some prospect of a job after graduation. You're mind probably isn't changing, and it definitely shouldn't change on advice that includes "go to a t30 at sticker."

My advice was not "go to T30 at sticker." Rather I stated I would personally go to a T30 at sticker than attend a T3 with a full scholarship. Attending law school has an opportunity cost. We lost 3 years of income and pay for our housing/etc. The cost of attending a T3 is not free. Simply put, there are costs with attending any law school.

In an optimal world the person with a T30 admit would have a scholarship to a lower T1 or T2 school. Either of the aforesaid with a scholarship might make more sense than attending a T30 school. If the op has family obligations, family connections, or any other unique circumstances, he might be better served by going to the T3. However, as a general rule of thumb going 50-60k in debt and giving up 3 years of income for a T3 education is not all that great a deal compared to going 150-160k in debt and giving up 3 years of income in a T30. Neither is an ideal situation, but we all have to pick our poison or find something more palatable (ex. partial scholarship to low t1 or t2)